Microsoft introduced an easy wireless network setup and configuration m w 9 with the release of Windows XP in 2001. Prior to that, installing any kind of network using Windows computers was often a hassle and usually unpredictable. Skip ahead to 2009, and subsequent editions of Windows (most notably Vista and the new Windows 7) have made things even easier! In many cases, it’s as simple as turning on your computer or flipping a switch on your laptop.
If you have a typical setup, which includes a modern PC and networking equipment released in the past one or two years, creating a wireless network should be a snap. If all goes well, you can install a wireless network adapter in your PC, and you’re almost ready to connect with your chosen wireless network. The best part is that once you set up your wireless network, it’s completely low maintenance — don’t expect to have to toy around with the settings very often. Now, cross your fingers (I’m watching, as is Microsoft) and venture into the relatively painless world of Windows XP and wireless networking.
Installing Is Child’s (Plug and) Play
Most of the work of installing a wireless network is done by the computer as part of the operating system’s plug and play feature. That means after plugging in your adapter, it should be installed automatically (or close to it). You may have to install a driver or supplemental piece of software to interact with the hardware, but it’s a very easy procedure to perform.
With modern wireless technology, installing the necessary hardware into your computer is usually so-called plug and play. In other words, the process is supposed to be mostly automated: You plug in your network adapter
(a card that transmits and receives signals over your wireless network), and the operating system is supposed to recognize, install, and configure it with minimal action on your part.
If you have newer hardware, this should be the case most of the time. If you’re trying to use an older or obscure network adapter (stay away from the bargain bins!) or own a computer that you bought more than, say, eight or nine years ago, this might not be the case.
And remember that I’m talking about Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later here. If you’re running an older operating system, all bets are off. My advice: Upgrade to Windows Vista before you pursue this course called wireless networking. If you’re one of those home computer users that just isn’t comfortable using Windows Vista for whatever reason, then you’ll want to make sure you’re using Windows XP Service Pack 2 at the very minimum or plan on upgrading to Windows 7 upon availability. In order to remain consistent with Microsoft’s current offering at the time of publishing, I work with Windows Vista in any relevant procedures.
Just because Windows can configure your network adapter doesn’t mean you want it to do so. You may find that the utility software that came with the adapter provides more features and better feedback about signal strength and other basics. For example, the Intel Pro Wireless Network Connection is a more than capable alternative to Windows’ Network and Sharing Center.
In that case, let Windows’ plug-and-play feature handle the installation, and you can look to the network equipment maker for the software to add any extra features that Windows doesn’t add automatically. Just remember, if you decide to use a third-party application to manage your computer’s wireless capabilities, it completely shuts Windows out of the picture until you decide to revert.
Working with the Network and Sharing Center
My Network Places is replaced in Windows Vista with the Network and Sharing Center, as shown in Figure 1-1.
The Network and Sharing Center is really a one-stop shop for all of your network needs; it truly is the hub of your broadband experience. When you first access the center, as discussed in the following sections, you will find out a lot about your network. For example, Windows draws a basic schema of your network connection that shows your computer, the name and type of network location, and finally to what you’re connected (the Internet!).
Figure 1-1:
The new Network and Sharing Center.
From the main panel in the Network and Sharing Center, you can find out more information about your network, such as the name and access you have. While it’s a more text-based version of the aforementioned schema, this section lets you rename your network. Remembering Mike’s Network is easier than remembering Network 24, which is default Windows fashion. This section is also important because it indicates whether or not you actually have Internet access. When everything is running smoothly, it says Local and Internet. Should you see only Local only, you know you’ve got problems on your hands and you should consider rebooting either your computer or your wireless router.
The second section of the main pane concerns your file sharing options (Sharing and Discovery). By default, all available menus are collapsed but can be expanded to set your preferences. Each option is represented with a green light (on) or a gray radio button (off), indicating the status. The sharing options also extend to printers, media files, and public folder sharing. I recommend only enabling these options when you are working on a private network, such as at your home. If you are in a public place, you will really want to think twice about making key folders on your computer available to everyone within wireless range.
The left side of the Network and Sharing Center displays a series of tasks and related topics. With respect to wireless networking, these tasks allow you to either set up a new wireless network or connect to an existing, available wireless network within range of your computer.
What is a public folder?
If you grew up using Microsoft Windows as your primary (if not only) operating system over the years, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the legendary Windows folders: My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, and so on.
Windows Vista offers a few new changes to that tried and true practice. First, you’ve likely noticed that Vista has dumped My. More importantly, Vista offers a second set of documents called Public folders. These folders, which include Public Desktop, Public Documents, Public Downloads, and so on, as shown in the figure, let you make specific files and folders available to others on your computer or your network. To use them, simply drag and drop the file or folder into the corresponding Public folder. These folders are accessible from Windows Explorer.
So, when do we actually get to meet the Network and Sharing Center? How about right now? The following sections provide several ways for you to access it in Windows Vista.
Accessing from the Windows taskbar
Here’s how you access the Network and Sharing Center from the taskbar:
1. Right-click the network icon (two screens joined with a planet Earth) in the right-side of the taskbar, as shown in Figure 1-2.
The corresponding contextual menu appears.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center.
The Network and Sharing Center appears in a separate window.
Figure 1-2:
Accessing the Network and Sharing Center from the taskbar.
Accessing from the All Programs menu
Perhaps you are more old-school and like to use your keyboard to locate Windows features:
1. Click the Start menu icon. The Start menu appears.
2. Type Network in the Start search text box at the bottom of the menu.
The entries are filtered to show only applications or elements displaying the word "network," as shown in Figure 1-3.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center.
The Network and Sharing Center appears in a separate window.
Figure 1-3:
The returned list of applications, including Network and Sharing Center.
Mingling with Different Networks
You can create two kinds of networks with Windows:
♦ Infrastructure: Chances are you want to create an infrastructure network, which is the traditional network that uses a DSL or cable modem connecting to your computer directly or through a router.
♦ Computer to computer: You also see this called a peer-to-peer or an ad hoc network. It’s a connection made directly between one computer and another.
As always, each has advantages and disadvantages.
Thinking about an Infrastructure Network
Most likely, when you think of a wireless network, you’re thinking about an infrastructure network.
However, anytime you communicate between a wireless access point (such as a wireless router) and a wireless network adapter, you’re moving information over an infrastructure network. When you’re on the road and using a coffee shop’s wireless access, you’re connecting to an infrastructure network. Your computer is connecting through a wireless access point, which in turn connects to the Internet.
In most cases, it just makes more sense at home to set up and run this kind of network instead of a computer-to-computer network.
Creating a Computer-to-Computer Network
A computer-to-computer network means exactly that: Your computer is wirelessly connecting directly to another computer. This is known as an ad hoc network. Both PCs need wireless adapters, of course. Windows XP also will need to be set up to handle a computer-to-computer network connection.
At one time, a computer-to-computer network may have been cheaper to create because you didn’t need a router. Instead, one computer can connect to the Internet and the other PC can wirelessly share that connection. Declining hardware costs provide no reason to use a computer-to-computer network when what you really need is an infrastructure network, which requires a router and possibly other hardware.
You can use a computer-to-computer network in your home or on the road, but a wireless network usually has specific applications, including the following:
♦ On a business trip, you and a colleague can connect your laptops wire-lessly, allowing you to share files without the use of a router or other wireless access point.
♦ Anytime you’re mobile, the network moves with you because you don’t have to lug routers or other hardware (aside from your laptop).
♦ Anywhere an infrastructure network’s wireless access point is unreachable; a computer-to-computer network provides an Internet connection, provided one of the computers is connected to the Internet.
♦ If you don’t want to rely on the hardware in an infrastructure network, a computer-to-computer network provides redundancy. If a router goes down on an infrastructure network, the whole network stops working.
With a computer-to-computer network, another computer can always share the load. (This assumes more than two computers are in the computer-to-computer network.)
Creating a network for work
Depending on your network configuration at work, it may be possible for you to connect to your servers or computer at the office from home or on the road. To do this, you must first connect to your office’s network and then use the Remote Desktop Connection application, which allows you to connect directly to a specific machine or server.
Before trying to create a connection to your office’s network, verify with your IT or helpdesk team that you are authorized to create such connection. You also want to make sure that you have the parameters and login settings necessary to log on successfully. Of course, for security reasons, be sure to log off from the network or your remote computer when you are done with your session.
To connect to a work network, you need to first connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which lets you act as if you were plugged in at the office.
Enabling Internet sharing
After you have a computer-to-computer network set up, you can configure one computer to share an Internet connection with the other computers. I don’t recommend using this fast and dirty way to share broadband access unless you have no other choice. It’s slow compared to using an infrastructure network with a router.
If you can, try to build an infrastructure network where a router does the work of divvying out IP addresses to each computer and, most importantly, hides the network behind a firewall.
This method is really a last-ditch effort when you need to share an Internet connection. With the advance of networking and wireless technologies in recent years, it’s hard to believe that this option is still available!
